New SU council members elected

Stellenbosch University (SU) announced the election of four new members chosen to represent the University Council, two of which have served on the Council previously.

SU is currently reviewing the statute which, amongst others, determines the composition of its legal bodies. This means the electorates will have a direct impact on the virtues and principles guiding the University as well as governing the academic and administrative functioning of the University.

The four who were elected are: Charl Cillié (Managing Director at Infinity Web Solutions); Adv. Jean Meiring (advocate at the Johannesburg Society of Advocates); Johan Theron, (lawyer in commercial litigation at Werksmans Attorneys) and Prof. Joan Hambridge (professor of Afrikaans and Creative Writing at the University of Cape Town).

Hambidge and Theron previously served on the Council. Cillié, Meiring and Theron have a four-year term and Hambidge a two-year term.

These new members were elected by a convocation of Stellenbosch graduates, postgraduate students, full-time staff and retired academic staff of the University.

According to Chapter 2, section 10 of the University statute, the purpose of the Council is to govern the University “in accordance with the Higher Education Act of 1997, the Statute and rules, and exercises a general supervisory responsibility in respect to academic and operational matters and institutional policy and strategy”.

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GVB Protest Opinions

Paballo Thabethe

“I feel so strongly this. Because I personally come from a background where my mom was abused, all of this triggers a lot of emotions. I feel so strongly about this topic, and about asking Stellenbosch to stand up, because Stellenbosch was usually a university that barricaded such issues. I feel like the fact that we are out here, speaking about it, is a step in the right direction.”

Leo Figueira

“For me, it was very apparent that there were not a lot of men, and specifically white men, at this rally. That is the main thing that, as a white man, stood out for me. The lack of concern on the faces of the management was also very clear. The general anger, fear, frustration and anxiety was very apparent, and I think it came out in a way that it needed to come out. This will hopefully resonate with the rest of the community.”

Elode Duvenhage

“I feel like the management, at times, was not listening or engaging. There was no understanding. In a way I do understand that it is horrible to be screamed at by students and then having to respond, but just trying to show a little more sympathy would have been nicer. Another question is: how come they are only listening to us now? This started years ago, and these issues shouldn’t be dealt with now, on the last day of the third term. Also, and many people brought this up, this is a situation where students must choose between human rights or marks. It is not fair to place that on students who want both.”

Kaiser Aryee

“I was initially playing devil’s advocate, because I thought that this is an educational institution, and if there is no major obstruction, we should continue as normal. But as I got here and the officials addressed us, I felt that there was a sense of apathy – I don’t think they are on the ground enough with students, and that is what they get paid for. I can’t play devil’s advocate as much as I previously could. Our officials can definitely do more for us. We need more engagement with students. I am sick of emails – it is the most impersonal way to address people. I feel like, as a leader, you should be able to use your critical thinking skills, which you should have if you are in that position, to think up solutions – you can’t just go in circles when people are dissatisfied.”

Mieke Verster

“Administratively, the students are more prepared than the management. This is not right, because obviously it is our jobs at university to study, to learn and gain knowledge, and it is theirs to look after us. And I can understand the frustration of students – but of course, it is also frustrating when the crowd starts to talk in circles. I think we need to channel that energy into finding solutions – not because it is our job as students, but because, clearly it is not happening.”

Anon.

“I feel like the management should have supported us more – like, for example, by organising transport to protests. I also think that residence heads should have been here today. I feel like they are making it a you-problem. They could also have given better options for people missing assessments to go to the protests. I am from the biggest female residence, and I can tell you now that only a small fraction of us are present today.”